Eagle Scout Cameron Owens wears some of the badges that he earned as a Boy Scout. Owens' Eagle Scout project earned $18,000 for wheelchairs bound for the disabled in the developing world. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

As much as we hear about troublemakers in schools, let's keep in mind that most kids are fine. Make that great.

Meet Cameron Owens, a Santiago Middle School student. Cameron dreamed of becoming an Eagle Scout and decided not to let something as minor as age get in his way. He made Eagle at 13 – four years younger than the average inductee.

Cameron started making his dream come true last summer, right after seventh grade. After months of work, he had raised $18,000 to fund wheelchairs in developing countries.

More important, Cameron understands it's not about the badge. As he puts it: "I affected 300 lives."

Yes, his project paid for a lot of wheelchairs. And Cameron is the first to point out that he didn't do it alone.

• • •

My allegedly adult twins are opposites in many ways, and I sometimes wonder if parenting makes any difference. Do children just pop out a certain way?

Hanging with Cameron indicates parenting matters. His mom is Ann Pulice of SoCal PBS; his father, Warren, is a commercial real-estate developer. But their jobs don't matter. What matters is how they spend time with Cameron.

When I call to clarify directions, Pulice is busy ferrying a carload of kids. Her husband is a scoutmaster and Eagle counselor. But don't confuse mentoring with making things happen.

Cameron's Eagle Scout project was all his effort – and that of his entire troop.

Eagle projects tend to work like this: The Eagle Scout candidate completes 21 merit badges for accomplishments ranging from citizenship to communications. Sure, there are some outdoorsy badges such as camping. But the focus is on developing leadership.

The boy decides on a goal, maps out an action plan, and leads a team to execute that plan.

Cameron sifted through a list of projects. In the end, he settled on the Irvine-based Free Wheelchair Mission, a nonprofit that sends wheelchairs to developing countries.

I meet Cameron at his home in Santa Ana. After shaking hands – Cameron has a good grip for a 110-pound teen – we settle in the family room. The Eagle Scout explains that he chose Free Wheelchair Mission because he wanted to help as many people possible.

For about $70 a wheelchair – basic chairs designed for rugged environments and made as cheaply as possible – Cameron hoped to help dozens. He ended up helping hundreds.

• • •

When school ended in June, instead of skateboarding, Cameron spent his time mapping out a plan to raise funds to buy and deliver the wheelchairs.

First, he'd have a "wheel-athon" with participants raising money for each trip around a track. Then, he'd have a fundraising wheelchair basketball game – students vs. teachers. Finally, he'd reward the fundraisers with a dance.

But Cameron quickly learned what most of us discover when we execute a plan: There's more to do than we ever thought possible. Cameron needed more than events. He needed donors – cash.

I was co-leader of a $16 million sales, content and marketing campaign during the millennium year. I quickly learned that one of the hardest things to get is a dollar out of someone's wallet. Fortunately for Cameron, two of his favorite things are leadership and challenges.

Cameron visited churches as well as service clubs such as Elks, Lions and Rotary. When school resumed in September, he arrived extra early, gave up his lunchtime and stayed late to talk to students. He and other Scouts handed out 2,000 fliers.

Little by little, pledges for money started adding up.

• • •

Cameron lined up sponsors for cupcakes and pizza. He organized the drinks. Then he found a band for the dance.

Other Scouts from Troop 842 in Orange County's Canyon District joined in, spread the word, helped organize and set up.

On Sept. 21 at Santiago Track, the wheel-athon started. More than 60 people participated. Six days later, the wheelchair basketball game was on, followed by the dance.

Cameron led the effort, but at our meeting he grins and describes how he spent much of his time: "I kept reminding everyone to pay."

The top fundraiser was Reggie Mendoza from Olive Elementary School in Orange. Reggie's total? $500.

But the best part was yet to come.

• • •

Cameron leaves the family room and returns with a thick photo album. He shows me picture after picture of the troop's trip to Rosarito Beach, Mexico.

With donations going directly to Free Wheelchairs Mission, money went to pay for wheelchairs throughout the world, with some chairs going directly to the troop.

The Scouts assembled 20 wheelchairs and transported them to Ensenada, Mexico. Town residents were so appreciative, they celebrated by organizing a lunch.

Cameron points to a photo of a strapping man pushing a wheelchair with a boy Cameron's age. The child is severely disabled, and straps hold him in a sitting position.

The Eagle Scout explains the man behind the chair is the boy's oldest brother. "He's been carrying him for 13 years."

It was a moment that deeply touched the adolescent. Cameron tells me he plans to continue raising money for wheelchairs.

"The feeling I had when I gave that wheelchair was so amazing. I just want to continue to help giving."

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